Ore. corrections officer killed on roadside

Buddy Herron, 42, was stabbed during his commute

PENDLETON, Ore. — A corrections officer who is being lauded as a Good Samaritan was killed on his way to work after stopping to help a motorist, authorities said Tuesday.

Buddy. R. Herron, 42, called 911 Monday to report he was stabbed and his truck stolen after he tried to assist what he thought was a stranded driver, according to Oregon Live. A father of four and a 4-year veteran officer at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution, Herron succumbed to his wounds at the hospital a few hours later.

Police arrested Portland resident Joshua Charles Weeks, 22, after a chase in Herron's stolen vehicle that ended in a crash on the Interstate, sources said. Weeks has a criminal history and is being held until the case is presented to a grand jury next week.

Fellow officers were shaken by the circumstances of the death.

"It's a brother in arms who tried to do what we do — stop and help someone," Umatilla Sheriff John Trumbo said. "We're all very upset."